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Topic Review (Newest First)

06-12-2014 09:41 PM

glowingtoadfly

Teaching her to touch her nose to my hand on command has been invaluable. She has agency that way.

06-12-2014 09:21 PM

SuperG

Pooch biting you for giving a belly whomper......whoa.....

First, of the three GSDs I've had, I don't believe I have ever had this type of situation at that particular age ( 9 months )....but if I had...the pup would know something wasn't right in short order. Had a few incidents with pups younger than that which gave me a nip or three which left a mark or two....but I chalked that up to the learning curve of bite inhibition and learning the discipline of a "soft mouth"....but your situation sounds much different.

Just a thought and it probably is of no value and misguided...but for some reason I was led to believe if your pooch accepted the human hand on the soft of their stomach ( vulnerable area )...they essentially "trusted " you...all positive in the "bond". Perhaps, a particular dog laying down, on it's back having the soft of it's belly touched, might be a moment which a dog still not sure of it's "position" could react in a manner which could be viewed as still testing the rank and file.....I'm just guessing from my observations.

There are nuances with many breeds and at times I hear others express exactly what you are stating about their first GSD..." but doesn't like love and affection that all my Rottweilers before him did " GSDs do have a certain air about them...and I am somewhat convinced that a GSD comes to you for all that loving and affection in a slightly different mindset.
The human urge to have their dog come to them for this particular fulfillment, as many breeds do... is many times the norm whereas a GSD and similar mentality dogs show this " love and affection " to those that they deem as their wonderful leader and all those the "leader" displays the same mentality towards or directs the dog to act in proper accordance.

I heard "bonding" in one post..good reply. I also read a few of Chip18's responses and links...all good stuff. I will have to admit I am not as disciplined a person as Chip18 because if my 9 month old GSD nailed me as you describe..I most likely would have reacted rather sternly....and perhaps made a mistake I would have to undo at a later date.

I'd try and win the dog over....in a way that might be different than what you have become used to with your Rottweilers.

This much I do know...when you have the chemistry correct with a GSD, they will offer all the " love and affection " that you seek.....perhaps even more.

SuperG

06-12-2014 09:21 PM

glowingtoadfly

You aren't alone. My girl is also a growly sometimes nipper who prefers playing to being touched. Ball is her favorite thing, so we touch her, mark with yes, throw the ball. We also taught her to choose when she is touched by teaching her to touch her nose or the top of her head to an outstretched hand. She has gotten better and now solicits petting sometimes. She still gets growly and nippy if she is overwhelmed or irritated by touching. It has been an ongoing process. She is also particularly cranky about being touched on the couch. Our behaviorist taught us a protocol with a clicker and treats for hand shy dogs.

06-12-2014 08:51 PM

Jax08

GET A TRAINER. Nobody can evaluate the reasons this dog is doing this online, nor should they be. That is not normal for a 9 mth old puppy to bite and growl like that.

06-12-2014 08:37 PM

HarleyTheGSD

Is he aggressively biting the family? How long has it been going on for? If it's sudden, it could be due to health issues. How is the relationship between your dog and the family?

06-12-2014 08:36 PM

Chip18

You got here quick! Not what I did! I learned a lot of crap the hard way! I come from Bully world also. Bull/Mastiff/APBT , Boxer/Pitt, Boxers and have know Rotties my whole life. I always considered them kinda boring looking over sized Boxers myself. But nice dogs, anyway I found like you that GSD's are very different dogs!

It sounds like you have no bond with this dog? So while a sharp harsh correction is certainly called for! That is not the way I would go!

Your guy has "a problem" don't worry about what it is for now! I would do this!
I used to say, I have never done it but working with a rescue Boxer, I did get a chance to try and I was surprised and stunned at the change in behaviour...dog with fear issues. http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum...-shutdown.html

Hello everyone I'm new here and having trouble with our 9 month old German Shepherd named Kaiser,I call him Sybil do to his multiple personalities, I have had dogs my entire life, at 45 now this breed of dog is totally different from the Rottweilers I've raised, This Shepherd is more confident and hyper then I'm used to, he loves to play but doesn't like love and affection that all my Rottweilers before him did I don't understand, if I pet him his ears go back and he growls, last night i was watching TV he was on the other couch laying on his back, I got up the rubbed his belly and touched his nose, He bit my hand and broke the skin in several places, just for giving our family dog some love, needless to say i wasn't happy and starting to regret letting my son get this dog, what do i do i can't have this dog biting people especially the hand that feeds him.